I was in the market for a Canon Vixia HF10 camcorder and a Canon Powershot SD770IS digital camera. I did my research online and found that ShopDigitalDirect.com had the best price on the Vixia HF10 on "DidUPrice.com" and was listed as a "Trusted Reseller". The web page listed the Canon Vixia HF10 for $419, which was about $300 lower than other retailers. They also had "packages" available that included a tripod, cleaning kit, carrying case, etc. That I did not need. Nowhere on the site, for either the camcorder or the camera did it say it came without a battery.
I purchased the $419 camcorder, the $205 camera, a $189 4-hour lithium battery for the camcorder, and a $32 high speed card reader. The total was $845. The express shipping was $33, so my overall total was $878. I realized the price was much lower than other sites, but I am no stranger to internet purchases. There are very large distributors out there that can provide fantastic prices on merchandise. I have purchased lawn furniture, outdoor heaters, computers, and other high ticket items online with great results and great prices.in addition, this vendor was listed amoung other vendors on many webpages, and the one that many others recommended stated it was a "trusted reseller".
The very next day, I received an early call from the vendor. I know understand this since they are in NY and I live in LA. I was still drowsy. The man asked about my order, and then told me that the digital camera needs a battery. I said, how can it come without a battery? He said, we sell to professionals who like to "build" the cameras as they like. He said the digital camera has a "temporary" battery only. He said I needed to buy a "permanent" battery with a charger. I already knew the prices listed and figured it would add about $60.in addition, he insisted on selling me a 3 year warranty which I refused. He said he would knock off $10 off the shipping.
I received my cameras on Friday, July 18th. The invoice does not have a breakdown of the price for each item, it only states "Premium Package" with a total charge of $1299.95. Therein, I received a regular box for the Vixia HF10, containing the 2 hour battery that it comes with. A regular box for the Powershot SD770, containing the battery, the only type the company sells with a charger and a high speed card reader. The box already has all these things included, that is how Canon sells it.
I went back to the web site and looked for a Premium package and there are none listed. I re-priced what I got using the web site and the most it could have been is $799.90, which is $500 lower than what they charged me. My stomach started to sink. I also noted that all "packages" started, presidential, continental and the like included SD cards, tripods, cleaning kits, camera bags, none of which I received. I did not receive the 4-hour extended life battery for the camcorder either which was part of my original order. Also, when I placed the order, there was no recap of what I bought, just a "thank you", and I did not get an e-mail confirming my purchase, so I had no way of showing what I ordered!
Last night, I could not sleep, and I had a gut feeling, so I went to the computer and printed out "but for" shopping carts of what I received totaling the $799.90 at the most. This morning, to my stong surprise, I found that a 9am PST, they had the Vixia HF10 camcorder listed at $649, up from $419 from my 3am printout. I tried to call the vendor, with no luck. I sent another e-mail forwarding my prior e-mails and then telling them that I had already placed a dispute on my credit card, and planned to report them to everyone.
At 9:40 am PST I had the web page open, and lo and behold, the price of the same Vixia HF10 was now $599. I printed yet another shopping cart showing the changed price. These people are fishing for suckers to buy into their scam. I failed to do a Google on the vendor, which is fool of people complaining about these company. I am a CPA, and a Certified Fraud Examiner specialized in forensic accounting. I told them that I will be the last customer they cheat. Please tell as many friends and others about this. I have already informed DidUBid.com that they are not to be trusted.
I am confident that my credit card company fraud department will take care of them. After I am done, they will no longer allow this company to take mastercard or visa, putting them out of business. This is truly disgusting.
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